dVPNs [Decentralised VPNs] | Thoughts please?

guigirl

Over recent weeks i've become aware of dVPNs. Though i've been a "devout" [] commercial VPN user for years, this recent discovery of dVPNs was something of a revelation for me -- i literally didn't even know such things existed, let alone how they worked.

I've read these:

Spoiler

https://www.makeuseof.com/decentralized-vpn-safer-than-regular-vpn/

https://www.howtogeek.com/741691/what-are-decentralized-vpns/

https://today.in-24.com/technology/313312.html

https://www.techradar.com/news/vpn-vs-dpn-the-dawn-of-decentralized-web-privacy

https://medium.com/tachyon-protocol/how-does-decentralized-vpn-work-and-why-would-you-need-it-22ebbd0455bb

https://blog.orchid.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-centralized-decentralized-and-opensource-vpns/

https://torguard.net/blog/the-privacy-risks-associated-with-decentralized-vpns/

I see at least some of the alleged benefits of dVPN over VPN, but i also [as an inveterate coward] have several concerns / apprehensions. None of those articles above have assuaged my doubts.

What do Vivaldifarians think about dVPNs?

PS: In one of those links, i read this:

Peter lets Paula reroute through his smartphone. In return, she can route through his laptop

Is that mis-written? As i interpret it, the final score is 2 - 0 to Paula. Peter is clearly a generous soul [& i wonder what Marya & Puffa think about all this? ].

PPS: Please limit responses to security & efficacy matters; spare me from rabbiting on about BAT & cryptocurrency "benefits"; such things are utterly boring & irrelevant to me.

greybeard

I do like the concept but have not looked into it,
It is still a VPN, is it not?
So instead of sharing with your ISP, you share with the VPN? I will have to delve into your links and do some research to find out more as I don't know enough about them.

Catweazle

@guigirl , I think that it had the same security problems known since years of Hola VPN, which use right this system to route through user IP instead of servers.
Not only that someone can backroute through your PC also that someone download pedofile images using YOUR IP.

https://www.cloudwards.net/hola-vpn/

sgunhouse

Look up Tor, I suppose. It is the original decentralized VPN. On the other hand, the existence of Tor allowed the creation of the whole "dark web".

sgunhouse

@guigirl It is a decentralized VPN in the sense of not having a central node, though other features may differ. You don't have to be a node on Tor to use it, you're just a client, but otherwise ...

greybeard

@guigirl The only thing that bothers me is that these systems seem to want to pay those hosting nodes. Seems a conflict of interest... but perhaps not. Volunteers may be just as likely to form some nefarious plot to steal PII.
Also I just got word back from my friend. He is aware of their exitance but knows nothing about them. He also feels:

I would think for most folks a regular VPN would be fine, provided it comes from a trusted supplier. I rate ProtonVPN and F-Secure Freedome.

There's my nickel's worth. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.